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It would be hard for me to label these as the “best” albums of 2010 (see list from 2009) because what I constitute best might not even come close to your definition of best. With that said, here are the albums from 2010 that I found myself listening to multiple times, sometimes over and over again. Obviously I stick generally to what some would call indie, others alternative, others rock.

(Click on the link to hear the bands most popular song from this album)

Arcade Fire: The Suburbs (I have never heard a rock album put together so well from start to finish, its a masterpiece)

The National: High Violet (This guy has the most monotone voice, which makes him sound somewhat like Johnny Cash (somewhat). It makes for a unique listening experience)

Sufjan Stevens:The Age of Adz (Okay, I almost took this one off, and maybe I will regret putting it on. There are a couple songs that are really good and a couple that are really bad, but I just kept listening to it)

Sleigh Bells: Treats (I found Robin Hilton’s description of this album the best so here it is: I wouldn’t fault anyone for finding this album obnoxious. It’s terribly loud, incredibly brash and full of screaming, and the whole mix is heavily processed and blown-out. The rhythms are explosive blasts more than drum beats, and the synths are piercing and caustic. But every time a song from Treats comes up on my iPod, I just feel so alive! It’s a take-no-prisoners album. Every track makes me feel as if I could rip my house off its foundation. I can’t say Treats is an instant classic or one critics will be talking about a generation from now, but it’s one of the year’s most potent and unforgettable recordings.

1. Mumford & Sons: Sigh No More / they combine bluegrass with rock to produce an amazing sound…it always builds into an emotional frenzy and the lyrics are brilliant (First song to listen to: The Cave)

2. The Avett Brothers: I and Love and You / piano and banjo ballads…can’t go wrong here (First song: I and Love and You)

3. Regina Spektor: Far / a russian-american who always has a knack for writing songs that make you laugh, and then stop and think (First song: Eet)

5. Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion / never thought this one would be on the top 5 but their strange sound grows on you…beach boys influenced vocals and some techno ambient sounds create a unique experience. (First song to listen to: My Girls)

Noteable: The Low Anthem (can’t put it on there because I have not bought it yet) and Muse: The Resistance

My brothers make fun of me for having so many movie scores on my ipod. I like listening to them while I study or read. This is my list of the top movie scores. I am limiting this list to calssical music. There are a lot of good movie soundtracks (Garden State, Little Miss Sunshine, O Brother Where Art Thou etc..) but that is for another list. I have not kept up with the movie scores in the past six months so this list may be a little dated. Oh yeah and they are in no particular order. They are all good, and it was too hard to put them in order. Clearly I have some favorite composers. Next week I will give my favorite Movie Score individual songs.